Shame this game isn't on TV as it seems the only important forward missing from the lineup is Brian Boyle, who's out with the flu. (9:10 a.m.)

EARLIER: The Rangers kick off their European excursion with an
untelevised matchup against HC Sparta Prague, one of the better teams in the Czech
Extraliga, on Thursday afternoon.

New York suffered a couple of injuries
on Monday night to Sean Avery and Mike Sauer, but neither should miss much
time.This game will be as much about
avoiding further injuries as anything else, but the Blueshirts will be sending
out their probable first
line again in what could be the game that determines whether it’s worth it
to even try anyone else on the top line other than Wojtek Wolski.

Wolski, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik produced two goals
in their
lone preseason appearance, but they’ve been practicing together for a while
now and should have even better chemistry in their second game.

Martin Biron will make his second start of the preseason as
the Rangers save Henrik Lundqvist for Friday’s matinee against his former team in
the Swedish Elite League, Frolunda.

As usual, the Rangers will mix in a few veteran combinations
along with a group of players fighting desperately to make the team including defensemen Brendan
Bell and Michael Del Zotto.(Tim Erixon, Blake Parlett and Stu Bickel may also be in the lineup, which has yet
to be announced).

Following the game, the Rangers will depart for a Friday
afternoon matchup in Gothenburg, Sweden followed by games in Slovakia and
Switzerland early next week.

The Blueshirts are being treated like celebrities overseas,
but tomorrow they will have to re-focus on the ice and block out the first of
many distractions that will come this year.

Just eight days remain before the start of the regular
season and the Rangers will be continuing to whittle down their roster and
finalize lines and details in preparation for the first game of the year in
Stockholm against the Los Angeles Kings on October 7th.